Most individuals dream of landing a great job and enjoying a long, successful career. There are many ways that you can prepare yourself for career success. Getting a great education can help bolster your career success. Speaking a foreign language is also a great way to impress potential employers. If you learn French, you will be increasing your market value and the likelihood that you’ll land that dream job.

Fluency in a foreign language is always beneficial during a job hunt. French is particularly beneficial. It is the only foreign language that can be used both throughout the world and in the United States. It is the second most frequently taught language in the world, outranked only by English. The International Organization of Francophonie has 56 member states and governments, 30 of which use French as an official language. Aside from English, it is the only language spoken on five continents.

Leverage Job Opportunities with French

Thanks to the increased importance of international commerce, bilingual employees are more valuable in today’s job market than ever before. Many businesses operate internationally and need employees who can communicate with clients and customers. The ability to speak French will make you a more attractive job candidate.

The ability to speak French is also a major asset for individuals who want to work with organizations such as NATO, the United Nations, the International Olympic Committee and the International Red Cross. All of these organizations use French as an official language. Being bilingual can open many doors for individuals who wish to work for such international organizations.

Enjoy Working for A Foreign Company

Speaking French can help you land a job with one of the 2,800 French-owned companies in the U.S. These companies employ approximately 550,000 Americans. U.S.-based companies employ almost 650,000 individuals in France. Individuals who want to travel for work will enjoy increased opportunities when they learn French.

France also boasts the world’s fifth-largest economy. Only the U.S., Japan, China and Germany have larger economies. During 2006, the GDP (gross domestic product) of France was $2.231 trillion, while China’s GDP was $2.668 trillion. There are also many countries with large French-speaking populations, such as Canada. Businesses in these countries are more likely to hire bilingual job candidates.

French is widely-known as the Language of Love. This beautiful language is also widely used in international business. Anyone can boost his or her chances of landing that dream job by learning how to speak French.

Jill Burbank is an inbound marketer who guest blogs for a variety of online publications. Follow her @JillBurbank2.